Crossroads

I have a really cool uncle.  He has a real heart for inner city folks who have seen a real crummy side of life.  He has served others in this capacity for most of his life.  Currently, he is the Executive Director of Crossroads, a ministry to the homeless of inner city Atlanta.

Yesterday, the girls and I took a field trip to visit him.  We took along our friend, Brooke, who also has a love for those who've only known life "rough."  It was exciting for me to introduce her to my uncle.

It was a beautiful trip in so many ways.  On our drive down, we got to hear all about Brooke's 5 week mission trip to Uganda.  We asked a thousand questions and she shared all the details about coming alongside of the people in their daily activity... including helping the Ugandan's  re-poop their houses!

I was pretty proud of myself for navigating the downtown Atlanta streets ("one ways" and all!) to find my uncle's place.... all nestled down close to Grady Memorial.  Whew.  Did we see some sites!

Crossroads serves lunch every day at 10:10.  Clyde arrives everyday at 5:30am to prepare the meal.   He was a kind man with a beautiful soul.

We took a little tour of the humble facilities and met some of the staff... many of which truly understand the life of the people they are ministering to.  

There is a mailroom... a necessity for one who is trying to get off the streets.  And as my uncle reminded us, most of us will never know what it feels like not to have an address.

And it is all nestled below this glorious old sanctuary. 

 And right in the middle of tall buildings and concrete.... a garden with produce to supply the kitchen.

 It was a wonderful, memorable, joy-making day.

 Grateful for it.

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  Matthew 17:20

Blurry-Worthy

Excuse the blurry "instagram."  Capturing the memory of a happy day is "blurry-worthy."  These chicks make life fun.

We haven't spent a week at the beach, the mountains, or on some fancy cruise, but we have had the sweetest of summers so far. 

This week, we cleaned out the kitchen... the fridge, the freezer, the cabinets, the pantry.  It felt so good.  They scolded me for the "waste" and committed to using up all we've got before buying anymore.  There should be some interesting meals for the next few days.... quinoa, and beans, and artichokes, and blueberry jam.  Hmmmm.  (I'm glad they care.)

Some of my favorite moments with them are conversations in the car.  Today we scooted up to Greenville to pick up a gift and use a "living social" deal at the new Tealoha.  Rebecca had to explain twice that the name reflected the owner's culture.  She was a Chinese lady from Hawaii.  Tea-aloha.  Sometimes it takes me a while.  She just rolls her eyes.

Somehow the conversation turned to their ideas and dreams for the future.... what they feel called to do.  One mentioned how she had been praying for God to help her feel more comfortable in certain social situations.  I took a minute to catch my breath.  It's overwhelming when your kid is seeking God's guidance on her own  without your prompting.  I do not, for one second, take that for granted.

They are His and He is theirs.  There is absolutely no greater gift in life.

Cocktail Blessings

 My favorite uncle who always wears cool shoes and no socks.

These three and their first cocktail party.  How I sent my nephew to get me a plate of food...because he looked the part.  (Such a cutie.)

 

 Being with two of my favorite men.

 My one and only cuz on my mom's side.  I was Rebecca's age when he was born.  

 Catching up with my glamorous sis-in-love.  Always a treat.

Sweet Kate.... a beautiful bride and a beautiful "catch."  

So glad they finally tied that knot!

 

 Having cocktails just across the street from the Fox Theater... 

a splendid venue for a party!

 Sharing my city with the girls.  A cool and breezy rainless night after a very wet week!

Capturing the memories with my phone camera... even though they're a tad blurry!

The sights and sounds of the big city!

 

A fun place to visit... appreciating our small town home town.

 How the waiters walked around with yummy treats.  

Introducing the girls to their first cocktail party in a very grand way!

 How they married in Portugal in a palace... 

 ... a handsome prince and his darling princess.

 What a treat to celebrate with them!

 It was a glorious "joy-making" occasion!

Eat Mor Chikin!

 Today was the annual, "Dress like a Cow...Get Free Chicken" day.  

 We suited up early and met lots of friends for breakfast.

 This was one of the cutest little cow"belles".

 I love this tradition.

Because we live in a smallish town, traditions like this pull in lots of friends.

 

 I tried to get the hubs to join us for breakfast, but he said he was going to PAY for his breakfast at the bagel shop.  (Every party has a pooper.)

This year there was a little "Miss" cow.  Don't let the pink "get-up" fool you.  She still horrified the "little-bitties."  They aren't much for gigantic cows in costume.  

 

 

 "No no cow."  Mia kept her distance from that big furry thang.

We spent some time playing with the little tikes...

 

 ...and enjoyed a scrumptious feast.

Chick Fil A is super sweet to share breakfast with us... free of charge.

We went back for lunch too.

Mid-Summer Gratitude

 For friends who turn ten and friends who create such delightful little parties.

For the rain, rain, rain this summer and how it reminds me in a very real way that I am not in control of things.

 

 For how they sing this as we take an afternoon drive.

And for how they sing this.... and my inquisition, 

"What is she wanting someone to come and get when they are ready?"  

(Unfortunately, these Disney princesses move on.)

 For the car conversations with my girls that summertime brings.

 

 For friends who let you bear the burden with them.

For how they have a "life" and all these plans which leaves lots of time for date nights with my sweetheart.  (Good thing we like each other.)

 

 For the mid-summer "lightbulb" that floods my mind with ideas for a new school year.

 For afternoon sewing dates and Starbucks dates and shopping dates and swimming dates... with friends.

For all the wisdom of James and reading it over and over til it sticks....'cause I'm bad about "walking away from the mirror and forgetting what I look like."  (James 1:24)

For new i-phones and having your daughter teach you how to use them.

For the fun that technology has brought into our world.... for Facebook, and Instagram, and Vine (What a nerve-eater!), and all the APPS galore.

 For how it doesn't work out, and then it works out, and then it doesn't...and for learning to lay it all at His feet.

For veges pouring in from the garden... and making pickles and finding new things to do with squash.  (You can only eat so much squash casserole.)

For silly Caroline.

 For how Rebecca reads to me in the car from this with such expression and how we laugh heartily together.

For serving those "less fortunate"  and realizing how much we're really just all in this thing together.

 

For the 20 year anniversary of our first date (for remembering!) and sharing with the girls how that day went down and the laughter and the reminiscing.

 For cousins and visits and sleeping all over the place and truly enjoying one another's company.

For blogging and the joy of this creative outlet in my life.

 

 Fr letting things go...even though it is so stinkin' hard.

For a husband who encourages me, knows how to laugh, and notices things about life that most people miss.  I like how God made him.

 For summertime and the livin' is sweet....and slow.